Wednesday, February 20, 2013

DoD civilian employees received this email today from Leon Panetta. Thought you might be interesting in posting it. The source is impeccable, received a copy him/herself, and gave me permission to use it as I wish.

SUBJECT: Preparations for Potential Sequestration on
March 1 and Furlough Notifications

For
more than a year and a half, the President, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and I
have repeatedly voiced our deep concerns over the half a trillion dollars in
automatic across-the-board cuts that would be imposed under sequestration and
the severe damage that it would do to both this Department and our national
defense.

The
Administration continues to work with Congress to reach agreement on a balanced
deficit reduction plan to avoid these cuts. Meanwhile, because another trigger
for sequestration is approaching on March 1st, the Department's leadership has
begun extensive planning on how to implement the required spending reductions.
These cuts will be magnified because the Department has been forced to operate
under a six-month continuing resolution that has already compelled us to take
steps to reduce spending.

In
the event of sequestration, we will do everything we can to continue to perform
our core mission of providing for the security of the United States, but there
is no mistaking that the rigid nature and scale of the cuts forced upon this
Department will result in a serious erosion of readiness across the
force.

I
have also been deeply concerned about the potential direct impact of
sequestration on you and your families. We are doing everything possible to
limit the worst effects on DoD personel - but I regret that our flexibility
within the law is extremely limited. The President has used his legal authority
to exempt military personnel funding from sequestration, but we have no legal
authority to exempt civilian personnel funding from reductions. As a result,
should sequestration occur and continue for a substantial period, DoD will be
forced to place the vast majority of its civilian workforce on administrative
furlough.

Today, I notified Congress that furloughs could occur
under sequestration. I can assure you that, if we have to implement furloughs,
all affected employees will be provided at least 30 days' notice prior to
executing a furlough and your benefits will be protected to the maximum extent
possible. We will work to ensure that furloughs are executed in a consistant and
appropriate manner, and we will also continue to engage in discussions with
employee unions as appropriate. More information and answers to frequently asked
questions regarding furloughs can be found at www.opm.gov/furlough, under the "administrative furlough" section.

Working with your component heads and supervisors, the
Department's leaders will continue to keep you informed. As we deal with these
difficult issues, I want to thank you for your patience, hard work, and
continued dedication to our mission of protecting the country.

Our
most important asset in the Department is our world-class personnel. You are
fighting everyday to keep our country strong and secure, and rest assured that
the leaders of this Department will contine to fight with you and for
you.

Leon Panetta

Oh, sure. The administration is real concerned with the effects of the sequester on the DOD. So concerned they didn't even spell-check their ridiculous memo.